Orthopedic clamp and extension rod

ABSTRACT

Spinal implants and methods of extending pre-existing spinal implant constructs. An extension clamp may be connected to an original spinal implant including an elongated rod attached to a portion of the spine without removal of the original spinal implant. The extension clamp may include a yoke and an extension rod extending from the yoke. The yoke may include a first end and a second end, the first end having first and second rod engaging portions and a channel between the first and second rod engaging portions for encompassing a fastener, and the second end being spaced apart from the first end. The first and second rod engaging portions may be configured and dimensioned to secure the extension clamp to the elongated rod.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/722,440, filed on Oct. 2, 2017 (published as U.S. Pat. Pub. No.2018-0021066), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/977,682, filed Dec. 22, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,808,293), which isa continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/508,178, filed Oct. 7,2014 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,283,003), which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/416,175, filed Apr. 1, 2009 (now U.S. Pat. No.8,882,803), the contents of which are incorporated by reference hereinin their entireties for all purposes.

All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specificationare herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if eachindividual publication or patent application was specifically andindividually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a spinal implant that stabilizes andsupports the spine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Spinal deformities, spinal injuries, and other spinal conditions may betreated with the use of spinal implants. Spinal implants are designed tosupport the spine and properly position the components of the spine. Onesuch spinal implant includes an elongated rod and a plurality of boneanchors. The elongated rod is positioned to extend along one or more ofthe components of the spine and the bone anchors are attached to thespinal components at one end and secured to the elongated rod at theother end.

However, adjacent segment disease and other conditions may requirerevisions requiring a surgeon to remove the entire spinal implant andposition new implants to further support and stabilize the spinalcomponents of the anatomy. The removal of the original spinal implantand the subsequent positioning of new implants may cause additionalproblems for the patient and increases the cost and time of spinalsurgeries. Therefore, there is a need to provide spinal implants thatprovide support and stability to the spinal components of the anatomy byreducing the cost and time of the surgery caused by adjacent segmentdisease and other similar conditions.

Specifically, there is a need for a spinal implant that enables fusionand stability of the spine without removing the original implants,thereby reducing the time and cost of the surgery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a spinal implant for connecting to anelongated rod. The spinal implant includes a yoke having a first end anda second end, the first end having a first and second rod engagingportion and a channel between the first and second rod engaging portionsfor encompassing a first bone anchor, and the second end being spacedapart from the first end. An extension rod is also provided whichextends from the second end of the yoke parallel to the elongated rod.The first and second rod engaging portions are configured anddimensioned to receive first and second securing member for securing theelongated rod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more readily understood with reference to theembodiments thereof illustrated in the attached drawing figures, inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates the spinal implant according to the presentinvention;

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate different views of the spinal implant incombination with a rod and screw system;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the implant system according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention will now be described. The followingdetailed description of the invention is not intended to be illustrativeof all embodiments. In describing embodiments of the present invention,specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, theinvention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology soselected. It is to be understood that each specific element includes alltechnical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish asimilar purpose.

FIG. 1 illustrates the extension clamp 10 according to one embodiment ofthe present invention. The clamp 10 as shown is configured anddimensioned having a yoke 12 and an integrated rod 14. As clearlyillustrated in FIG. 1 , the yoke 12 and the rod 14 of the clamp 10 areintegrated as a single piece. The yoke 14 is merged or integrated withthe rod 12 that is preferably 160 millimeters long and having a diameterof 5.5 millimeters. However, the rod 12 may be shaped and sized to fit apatient's anatomy and any requirements to enhance the stability of thefusion fixation system. The clamp 10 is configured to connect to a rodand screw system as illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 . The yoke 12 of the clamp10 is also configured with a first and second rod engaging portions 16and 18 for engaging with the rod. Each of the first and second rodengaging portions 16 and 18 are provided with first and second securingmembers 20, 22 for locking the clamp 10 onto the rod. The channelbetween the first and second rod engaging portions is dimensioned toencompass a fastening element such as a bone anchor or pedicle screw,which is more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 .

FIGS. 2-6 illustrate the connection of the extension clamp 10 to afastener/screw 24 and rod 26. As shown in FIGS. 2-6 , the first andsecond engaging portions 16 and 18 of the yoke 12 engages with rod 26.The bone anchor which is attached to the honey elements of the spine andwhich captures and retains the rod 26 is fit within the channel of theyoke 12. The yoke 12 encompasses the bone anchor and secured to the rod26 through the first and second securing members 20, 22. The clamp 10being connected to the rod 26 and surrounding the bone fastener providesadditional stability to the spine since the integrated rod 14 of theclamp 10 is attached to a bone element of the spine at an adjacent levelsegment through an another bone anchor. The integrated rod 14 as shownis spaced apart from the rod 26 that is coupled to the yoke 12 of theclamp 10. The integrated rod 14 is in a parallel axis to the connectedrod 26. In this particular embodiment, the integrated rod 14 isillustrated to extend from one end of the clamp 10 spaced apart from theyoke 12. However, the integrated rod can be configured in variousdifferent designs, such as the integrated rod 14 extending from the asecond end of the clamp spaced apart from the yoke as illustrated inFIG. 7 .

Although a set screw is illustrated for coupling the clamp with the rod26, any type of securing member can be used including, but not limitedto, a bolt, a pin, a shoe, an interference member, or a cam member. Inan exemplary embodiment, the securing member includes a coupling forengaging a driver or other device for threading the securing member intothe second opening.

The integrated rod 14 is configured and dimensioned to be received andcaptured by a fastener which is attached to a pedicle or another bonyelement of the spine. The system allows a surgeon to reduce the amountof time in surgery as well as providing additional stability and supportwhen enhancing fusion between vertebrae.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. In thisparticular embodiment, the clamp 28 is configured and dimensioned to beattached to a rod in in-line axis. The clamp 28 is provided with a yoke30 and an inline integrated rod 32. The clamp 28 is secured to a rod(not shown) by the rod engaging portion 34 of the yoke 30. The yoke 30is secured to the rod through securing members 36 and 38. One end of therod is situated at the other end 40 of the yoke 30. As noted above, anytype of securing element may be used to secure the rod to the clampaccording the present invention.

Example embodiments having the components of the present invention havebeen described herein. As noted, these example embodiments having beendescribed for illustrative purposes only, and are not limiting. Otherembodiments are possible and are covered by the invention. Suchembodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant artbased on the teachings contained herein. Thus, the breadth and scope ofthe present invention should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only inaccordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical system comprising: an extension clampincluding a yoke having a first end and a second end, the yokecomprising first and second rod engaging portions defining a channelbetween the first and second rod engaging portions, the second end beingspaced apart from the first end, and an extension rod extending from thesecond end of the yoke and being integrally formed with the yoke as asingle piece; wherein the channel is sized to receive a fastener whichhas already been inserted into a bone member and which has beenconnected to an existing elongate rod, the first and second rod engagingportions adapted to engage the existing elongate rod; a first securingmember configured to be received by the first rod engaging portion; anda second securing member configured to be received by the second rodengaging portion.
 2. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the firstsecuring member and second securing member contact the elongated rod. 3.The surgical system of claim 2, wherein the first securing member is afirst set screw and the second securing member is a second set screw. 4.The system of claim 1, wherein the head of the fastener comprises athird securing member.
 5. The surgical system of 1, wherein the bonemember is a pedicle.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstsecuring member is received through an upper surface of the first rodengaging portion and the second securing member is received through anupper surface of the second rod engaging portion.
 7. The system of claim1, wherein the first and second rod engaging portions are hook typeelements.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising an extension rodthat is configured and dimensioned to be captured and retained withinthe fastener.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the extension rod isintegrated with the yoke.
 10. A surgical system comprising: an extensionclamp including a yoke having a first end and a second end, the yokecomprising first and second rod engaging portions defining a channelbetween the first and second rod engaging portions, and an extension rodextending from the second end of the yoke and being integrally formedwith the yoke as a single piece; and wherein the channel is sized toreceive a fastener, wherein the fastener comprises a head and a shaft,wherein the head is sized smaller than a length of the channel andwherein the shaft has already been inserted into a bone member and thefastener has already been connected to an existing elongate rod; a firstsecuring member configured to be received by the first rod engagingportion; and a second securing member configured to be received by thesecond rod engaging portion.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein, onceconnected, the extension rod is offset relative to the existingelongated rod.
 12. The surgical system of claim 10, wherein theextension clamp is connected to the elongated rod via the first securingmember and the second securing member.
 13. The surgical system of claim12, wherein the first engaging portion receives the first securingmember and the second engaging portion receives the second securingmember.
 14. The surgical system of claim 13, wherein the first securingmember is a first set screw and the second securing member is a secondset screw.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the head of the fastenercomprises a third securing member.
 16. The surgical system of 11,wherein the bone member is a pedicle.
 17. The system of claim 10,wherein the first securing member is received through an upper surfaceof the first rod engaging portion and the second securing member isreceived through an upper surface of the second rod engaging portion.18. The system of claim 10, wherein the first and second rod engagingportions are hook type elements.